Yeah they did used to be nice enough when they were small in number. But as ever once the VCs come in with cheque books, bottom line is king. You can't roll out multiple dozens of a small idea and not lose something

beansprout Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What does it serve? Can't believe one needs more
> food places unless of course it is niche but doubt
> it from comments.

Unless they do curry or cheesy chips, Iím not interested. But I could be tempted by a fish finger sandwich round at Louís, what time are you opening?

If I can eat it in front of the telly, even better. Why more restaurants donít have tvís to watch, I donít know. You could have individual screens and wireless headphones, then order by text or something like that. A bit like having a takeaway, but in a restaurant.

Plus that way you donít have to talk or listen to anybody, but you get table service and tv in one place.

That would be great, specially if the chair was a recliner and you put your feet up. I wonder if this Bill place might consider this idea for ED? itíd be a winner.

Sephiroth Wrote:
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> Bill's food is overpriced frozen rubbish anyway -
> it's a looong way from what the original in Lewes
> used to be like
>
> I live in Lewes and never go near the place

Utter rubbish food-as you say original was good but We visit Lewes often and would never dream of going there now...btw wasn't it originally called Bill stickers or am I imagining this?

1. Why is this on the lounge? Seems more mainstream ED to me.
2. It would be helpful to understand what is Bills, and why all of the excitement. By the power of Google I found out that it was a small chain, but didn't look that exciting. So why all the fuss?

An open question.

Separately I've heard a branch of the Le Manoir aux QuatíSaisons chain is coming to Dulwich - perhaps Belair? For those not in the know it's a Michelin starred restaurant in Oxfordshire with a good write up on Tripadvisor [www.tripadvisor.co.uk]

This is in the lounge because I am unable to post in the other section. The only location that would be remotely viable for such a high street chain would be LL, and even that is pushing it by their other cited locations on the website. Far busier than anywhere around here. Therefore, EDR seems like a bit of a strange choice, and the former aneto site is the only place I can think of? Unless someone can think of somewhere else?

malumbu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Separately I've heard a branch of the Le Manoir
> aux QuatíSaisons chain is coming to Dulwich -
> perhaps Belair? For those not in the know it's a
> Michelin starred restaurant in Oxfordshire with a
> good write up on Tripadvisor
> [www.tripadvisor.co.uk]
> 096521-d752551-Reviews-Belmond_Le_Manoir_aux_Quat_
> Saisons-

Great_Milton_Oxfordshire_England.html#REVI
> EWS

This seems remarkably unlikely to me (happy to be proven wrong)....perhaps this is what you've heard about....

I live opposite Aneto and am sad to hear of its closure. It did seem to be a more successful formula than the previous iterations (Flying Pig etc) at least in terms of footfall.

If Bills does move in then my use of the place will not change - occasionally for breakfast when I am feeling lazy or the odd takeaway coffee.

The issue is, of course, rent.

As a chain Bill can drive down the production cost of its food and drink by bulk buying and a degree of mass central preparation of food. The cost of staffing is a moot point, did Aneto pay above minimum wage or London Living Wage?

I am sad that Aneto is going but I am not emotionally attached to the place and Bills will offer me a similar experience.

My concern is that this is a pattern that will see the indies driven from ED and landlords populating the Lane and ED Road with chain restaurants and shops because they can afford inflated rents and indies cannot.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was 2019:08:18:14:09:00 by Michael Palaeologus.

I read a headline yesterday about Labour having some ideas of how to save our high streets, didn't read the article, but have always thought that the Gov of the day should try and help independent retailers like they do with first-time buyers. High rents seems to be the common factor why these smaller shops eventually close down. Perhaps some kind of rental tax relief is needed if not already provided...

The coalition government tried it with the Portas review. It failed. Well at least they tried. [www.telegraph.co.uk]

Shopping and eating habits have changed. Brand recognition is ever more important - see the queues outside of Pret, and one or two at the independent sandwich shop near where I work. Brands of course get it wrong too don't they Jamie.

Perhaps Corbo will take us back to the 1960s with price controls and other restrictions. Still happens in France. Doubt it though.

The one thing though is the disproportionate impact of rents on the indies - addressing that I can agree with.

diable rouge Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I read a headline yesterday about Labour having
> some ideas of how to save our high streets, didn't
> read the article, but have always thought that the
> Gov of the day should try and help independent
> retailers like they do with first-time buyers.
> High rents seems to be the common factor why these
> smaller shops eventually close down. Perhaps some
> kind of rental tax relief is needed if not already
> provided...

Totally would support this..i have a bee in my bonnet about the homogenisation of our high streets.
its killing London.
And why bother shopping anywhere when the chains offer it all online.
ditto chain resturants. just mediocre offerings for those too lazy to cook

Sephiroth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill's food is overpriced frozen rubbish anyway -
> it's a looong way from what the original in Lewes
> used to be like
>
> I live in Lewes and never go near the place